THE GROOVEMAN'S COLLECTION

REVIEWS FROM MY VINYL COLLECTION

Tag: pat travers

PAT TRAVERS – Radio Active

July 2, 2024 /

This was quite an odd album for Pat. Before it was released, Tommy Aldridge and Pat Thrall had already left the band. It didn’t too well in sales either, which resulted in Polydor dropping the band. However, PT would sue the label for breach of contract and he won, which let him put out another two albums for the label which (surprise surprise) didn’t do a whole bunch either.

This album was slammed for having too much emphasis on keyboards rather than wailing guitar, but I’m not sure where that came from as there is plenty of guitar all over the album. Whoever came up with that quote only listened to the instrumental track, Untitled which admittedly has that distorted Hammond sound that was on Crash And Burn. The main reason why it didn’t too well is that there are too many softer songs. My favourite song is the opener, New Age Music. It’s a good old PT belter.

I’ve been a fan of PT since the first album when he came to the UK and I saw him playing in small clubs up close and personal, which is basically what he is doing today.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

PAT TRAVERS – Putting It Straight

May 4, 2022 /

This is Pat’s third album recorded in London after his relocation from Canada. It’s also the last to feature the classic three piece line up. After this album cycle, Pat would relocate to the US and Nicko McBrain would depart and be replaced by Tommy Aldridge, and a second guitar would be also added with Pat Thrall.

Pat hit his stride on this album as the songs are killer and all self penned – apart form the superb Gettin’ Betta, which he co-wrote with Mars Cowling. His tone is superb, and I love the groovy middle eights in each song where the groove changes and Pat lets fly. There is one notable guest appearance, Scott Gorham, who plays the call and repeat solo with Pat on the fast boogie shuffle, Speakeasy. Pat usually throws in a really cool instrumental, and this album is no exception with the killer funky vibes of Off Beat Ride. My favourite track is the album closer, Dedication, which is in two parts. A superb old school beast of a tune – complete with Hammond supplied by Tony Carey.

The mid seventies was a great period for rock albums, and this is a welcome addition to anyone’s collection.

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.

PAT TRAVERS BAND – Heat In The Street

October 8, 2021 /

After the first two albums were recorded as a traditional three piece, this album denoted the first change with the departure of drummer Niko McBrain to Maiden, and the introduction of a second guitarist with the arrival of Pat Thrall, and the legendary Tommy Aldridge joined on the pots and pans. This album is a step forward and was a more concerted effort to break into the US market.

The title track is a typical PT groove rocker with a great riff and killer playing. Killer Instinct has a more funky vibe and is a very American sounding track with big layered harmonies. I Tried To Believe is an ok track that is lifted somewhat by a great solo and killer tone. Hammerhead closes out Side 1. PT puts one of these killer instrumentals on most of his albums and this one one is awesome. Superb guitar sound and great playing.

Side 2 kicks off with the title track and it has that groove that PT could always lock into. Evie is the only track that has all outside writing credits, but Pat sings his ass off on this track. The second instrumental of the album follows with Prelude, and is a more laid back track than Hammerhead with lots of duel guitar harmonies. The album ends with One For Me And One For You, and is as close as PT gets to a ballad. You forget how good Pat is as a singer, and this track shows just how good he is.

Pat was on a run of great records with this album and it’s a great addition to anyone’s collection.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

PAT TRAVERS BAND – Crash And Burn

July 28, 2021 /

This is the album where the blues took a backseat, and slick production gloss took over. It was also the last album to feature drummer Tommy Aldridge, who would later join Ozzy’s circus, and guitarist Pat Thrall. Pat would later join Glenn Hughes in their short lived partnership, and he left Pat with just Mars Cowling as his ever present bass player.

Travers is known for his guitar playing skills, so it was a bit of a surprise when the lead off track, Crash N Burn, was keyboard driven. Now it’s a great track with a killer groove, but if you have heard this done as a three piece with the keyboard parts now being played by a guitar, it sounds awesome. Snorting Whiskey has become a PT classic, with some killer guitar playing – it’s such a good tune. There is a sleazy groovy version of Booker T’s Born Under A Bad Sign, which I really love. My favourite track on the album is the final track, Material Eyes, with its multiple layered guitars and effects that lead into a very big fade out. I don’t think PT ever made a bad album and this is no exception. It’s good to see him still up and playing.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

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